N.—Continued action is incomplete: hence nothing is stated as to the conclusion. Thus φεύγειhe flees does not state whether or not the subject succeeded in escaping.

b. Completed action with permanent result is denoted by the perfect stem:

1. Perfect: γέγραφα ἐπιστολήνI have written a letter (and it is now finished), ἤνθηκεhas bloomed (and is in flower).

2. Pluperfect: ἐγεγράφη ἐπιστολήνI had written a letter (and it was then finished), ἠνθήκειhad bloomed (and was in flower).

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3. Future Perfect: γεγράψεταιit will have been written, τεθνήξειhe will be dead.

c. Action simply brought to pass (simple attainment) is denoted by the

1. Aorist: ἔγραψαI wrote, ἔπεισαI persuaded (succeeded in persuading), ἐβασίλευσεhe became king or he was king, ἤνθησεburst into flower or was in flower.

2. Future: γράψωI shall write, βασιλεύσειhe will become king.

N.—The aorist tense (ἀόριστος χρόνος from ὁρίζωdefine; unlimited, indefinite, or undefined time) is so named because it does not show the limitation (ὅρος) of continuance (expressed by the imperfect) or of completion with permanent result (expressed by the perfect).